2016 African American Festival in Baltimore, MD

I went to the The 30th annual Afro-American Festival.  It was this past weekend but I went on Saturday.  It was held at the Camden Yards Sports Complex and it was a celebration of African-American culture in Baltimore with entertainment from some of the hottest musical acts past and present, food and service vendors, and empowerment pavilions throughout the lots.

Vivica A. Fox and Comedian Jonathan Slocum hosted the event.  Artists included Joe, Estelle and Baltimore’s own Ruff Endz, Goapele, Gospel Artist Anthony Brown and Group Therapy.  Common and Angie Stone headlined the event.  There also was a special tribute for Baltimore’s DJ Reggie Reg who passed earlier this year.

PRE-EVENT

I arrived when everything was being setup.  Over 300,000 people were expected to attend. I wanted to be there before the crowds started to come in.

This young man is a gifted artist.  His prices  start at $5.00.  Too low in my opinion.

 Although I didn't get a chance to see see the performances, I did get a chance to hear Angie Stone and Ro James rehearse.  Security made sure early-arrivals couldn't get close.  Only the media were allowed to take pictures of them rehearsing.

The Health and Wellness Pavilion

 Planned Parenthood of Baltimore engages, entertains and educates women about reproductive care.

THE EMPOWERMENT PAVILLION

Alfred Edmonds, Jr., Editor of Black Enterprise magazine, interviews Matthew Knowles, Beyonce's father and former manager and founder of the female group Blushh.  He's also the author of the new book DNA of Achievers.  Knowles talked about the 10 keys to success. 

Black Girls Vote 

The STEM/TECH PAVILLION

CELEBRITY/MEDIA ROW

FOOD VENDORS

INFORMATION TABLES

FAMILY FUN ZONE

Brown Girl Village Tent

TEEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PAVILION

M of Princess M. Nail Polish talks about her line under the Brown Girl Village Tent, where teenage females talked about entrepreneurship.

VENDORS

A brand ambassador for Talliah Wajiid natural hair products takes a break from passing out samples.  Tajid was the first woman to create a natural hair product and turn it into a mini-empire.  She produces a large hair show twice a year.

On my way out of Camden Yards, I couldn't help looking at this statue.  I like what the plaque says: "Babe's Dream".  I was there pursuing my dream of being a mainstream photographer.  I had to take a picture of the statue.  

A statue of Babe Ruth, National Baseball Hall of Famer and native Baltimorean, stands at the entrance of the Baltimore Orioles Stadium.

 #BmoreAAF40 #BmoreAAF @BmoreAAF

2014 National Book Fest

I finally went to the Library of Congress' annual  National Book Festival.  I had seen the advertisement for the event for several years but never attended because at first I was not interested in attending, then years later I worked overnight and on weekends as a security guard, and was sleep during the day.  Since that is no longer the case, I decided to go this year.  In addition to my love of reading, over 100 renowned authors attended and spoke about their books.  This was an opportunity to add their pictures to my portfolio.    

When I arrived, I saw my girl Eun Yang, NBC4 Washington TV anchor.  I watch her every morning.

She was with a little girl I suspected was her daughter.  I followed them, trying to get a picture.  Yang was walking so fast, and I walking fast also, trying to keep up with her.  I felt like a paparazzo📸😃.  Because I don't have a professional camera with a lense that takes action pictures clearly, the pictures are blurry.  I was excited because after following her and her daughter for a few minutes we ended in an area that was quiet.   I could finally take her pciture.  No conference-goers were around.  Then I noticed a large, tall colorful column with the word "media" written on it.  I had ended up on the floor media were.  I took it as a sign, that I was on the right track; that's what I'm supposed to do. 

Yang was talking to a lady and then she went inside a hall.  I grabbed a brochure and saw that she was an emcee.  I thought that was so cool.  The media area felt so different.  The other area was bustling with noise, excitement and energy.  The media area was quiet and had serious atmosphere.  I like action but I'm also quiet and serious.  So, yes, I was where I was supposed to be.

After Yang left, I went inside the book fair.  There was an activities section where people took pictures holding social media bubbles.  I saw BOOK TV's area.  I was going to go there but nobody was at the table.  Wells Fargo was a sponsor and had a reading section for families.  A lady dressed like a pioneer read a story to the children.  People took pictures inside a Western buggy (Wells Fargo's logo).  I

took pictures with Peggy and others, characters from Nick Jr. 

Later, authors came out to sign their books.  Since I didn't buy any books, I couldn't go to their tables and talk to them, nor get close to them to get clear pictures, and they were not signing autograph copies of pictures of themselves.  However, I was able to get some shots.  I got a picture of Cokie Roberts.  I used to watch her sometimes on Sundays as a panelist discussion the previous week's events as a political commentator.  She comes from a political family, and her focus on women in politics.  Buy here new book here.

Congressman John Lewis, Civil Rights leader who marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., co-wrote March, the first of a three-part graphic  novel detailing the Movement.  When I first heard about his book, I thought the medium was strange.  It's different; it's never been done before, and the Movement was ugly.  Dogs.  Protestors being knocked down by the force of waterhoses.  Representative Lewis was hit in the head with a brick and blood poured from his skull.  I still see the image of (the) White female teenager face contorting with pure hatred as she

screamed at one of the Little Rock Nine teenagers.  There are some gruesome comic books on the market.  If all of that is in his book, maybe the medium is appropriate.  His would be based in reality.  The book sounds interesting and is on my reading list.

  

Next, was Carla Hall from ABC's The Chew.  The show is like the The View except Hall and her co-hosts interview and cook meals with their celebrity guests.  

The lady monitoring Hall's line tried to give me a hard time.  I was trying to get Hall's picture when I was told I couldn't stand in line.  In the end, however, she let me take the picture.  Buy here book here

I had a really fun time.  I plan to attend as many times as I possibly can. 

Eun Yang, anchor for NBC News 4

Cokie Roberts